Travel: A Perfect Two-Day Escape to AC's Borgata

By Nicole Pensiero

As the temperatures started plummeting in December, the timing seemed perfect to plan a little girlfriends’ getaway to someplace fabulous and welcoming. Two longtime friends – one retired, one not - we only could spare a night away … but with two days of activities, it felt like a true vacation.

Our destination: Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. This luxury resort — the city’s first new casino in more than a decade when it opened in 2003 — underwent a $55 million redesign two years ago, and rebranded the former Water Club (now the MGM Tower).

Bottom line, the Borgata has it all: beautiful guest rooms, a spacious casino, two fantastic indoor pools, an elegant spa, and more dining options than we could keep up with.

Here are some highlights from our recent visit — and ideas if you go:

• Enjoy the Casino: The 161,000-square-foot casino sits in the center of the action; you can walk around its perimeter to find many excellent eateries and shops between trying your luck at the many games.
• Savor the Spa: Borgata’s Spa Toccare offers every type of pampering experience imaginable. In the dead of winter, that’s about as alluring as it gets: from sitting in a hot tub to enjoying a Swedish massage. We opted for the 50-minute Signature Massage; my therapist, Edmarie, was talented and personable. We both loved our spa experiences, and afterward enjoyed time at the spa’s enclosed pool and hot tub. (On our last morning, we also visited – and savored – the lovely enclosed pool and hot tubs that are open to guests 21 and older staying at the MGM Tower).
• Food, Glorious Food: Meals were a consistent high point of our visit. For dinner, we enjoyed a magnificent meal at Angeline by Michael Symon, an Italian eatery. Our server, Nikki, was as amazing as the food we both enjoyed: a bucatini dish with short rib ragu, and chicken marsala with a side of pasta.

Desserts were another highlight – rice pudding crème brulee, and tiramisu. It was an elegant and delicious meal. Highly recommended!

On our last morning, we let our taste buds do the decision-making at the expansive Borgata Buffet — which has everything from traditional brunch delicacies (including an omelet bar) to various ethnic specialties. This amazing no-reservation restaurant is reasonable, too. Brunch, which is served from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. is $29.99 on Monday and Friday on Saturday and Sunday, the cost is $31.99. Dinner is offered at the Buffet from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Friday- Sun, for $42.99.

We returned home after our two-day getaway feeling relaxed and refreshed. I’d highly recommend the Borgata any season – but in the winter, it felt a much-needed taste of paradise.

Nicole Pensiero is a South Jersey resident and member of the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA).